We refuse to send the French back to their homeland on such conditions. This constitutes the substance of my radiogram, a copy of which is being sent to you. The French will cry foul and tell the Americans all manner of abominable lies. Please transmit a copy of our note to the American representative for his government.

Lenin

*Written April 5, 1919*

*First published in 1958*

*From the book "Documents of Soviet Foreign Policy," vol. II*

*Printed from the typewritten copy*

*Translation from the German*